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Most of us love our gardens, even though they present the
dilemma of too much work, especially in spring. That is why we
consult books to make things easier. Every year some new way of
doing things can be found in a variety of publications; but also
the basics have to be revisited from time to time.
So here are some great guide lines and books to help you make
the most of your gardening experience:
Expert Gardener Reveals 5 Tips
That Will Save Your Shrubs
There is nothing worse than a bad haircut.
The one thing you can’t do with a bad haircut is uncut it, so
you just have to wait for it to grow out before you can fix it.
That’s how expert gardener Carol Chernega views the art
and science of pruning a shrub. If you trim it the wrong way,
you’re only compounding your problems, but learning the right
way is not nearly as difficult as going to cosmetology school.
“Instead of giving your shrubs a bad haircut, it’s actually very
simple to give them a day at the spa, instead,” said Chernega,
producer and star of the DVD
Pruning Shrubs with Your Personal Gardener (www.onegardenatatime.biz).
Her tips on pruning might not only change your style, but help
transform your garden and landscaping, as well.
“For me, it would be a perfect world if pruning shears came with
instructions,” Chernega added. “Just because one has a pair of
scissors, it does not necessarily follow that you know how to
give a good haircut. And just because you have a pair of hedge
trimmers does not mean you know how to prune a shrub. Now,
that’s not to say it takes a PhD in horticulture to know how to
prune. The basics are actually very easy to learn, and applying
some basic tips can really help you improve the look and health
of your garden 100 percent.”
Chernega’s tips for basic pruning include:
- Know What You’re Pruning
– Before you make your first cut, look carefully at your garden
and identify what you’re going to be pruning. Use the Internet
to identify them if you don’t already know. You want to learn
how the shrub should look so you can prune it to maintain
that natural shape.
- Cut Back to the Branch
-- Always cut back to a bud or branching point. Never leave a
long stub. A stub will not only look ugly, but it will also
invite insects and disease that could cause long term problems.
- Cut the Dead Weight First
– Before you cut anything else, cut out the dead or broken
branches. Sometimes removing a dead branch will leave a big gap,
so by doing them first, you’ll be able to tailor the rest of
your pruning to compensate for that gap.
- Crossing Over – After you
eliminate the dead branches, next you want to target crossing
branches or branches that are likely to cross in the future.
Once they start rubbing against each other, they’ll leave a
wound that will invite insects and disease, so you want to
eliminate that threat.
- Cut With the Flow -- Finally, cut out
all branches that are not going in the natural direction of
the plant. This is good for the health of the plant, as well
as the look of your garden.
“After you master the basics, you’ll discover that your
garden will have a crisp, clean look to it and your neighbors
will not think your shrubs are having a bad hair day.” Chernega
said. “Your garden will grow in accordance with how you prune it
and you’ll do less work over time to maintain it. That means
fewer hours of outdoor labor, and more hours of enjoyment.”
About Carol Chernega
Carol Chernega has worked as a professional gardener since 1992.
She's been visiting England for fifteen years, fueling her
passions for English gardens and literature. This led to her
being chosen as the first International Visitor for the Jane
Austen Society of North America (JASNA). This honor meant Carol
worked for two months in Jane Austen's garden in Chawton,
England. During that experience she learned why the English
deserve their reputation as excellent gardeners. She now
incorporates that knowledge into her pruning workshops.
Green And Color, All Year Round, Is All The Rage
In case you did not know: Composting is the single most
green thing you can do in your garden. To help you understand it
better and create the best possible results there are a few
basic principles to understand. Rachel Strauss, an environmental
Journalist has put together just such a handbook published by
Flame Tree Publishing. (www.flametreepublishing.com) The book offers guidelines for
the whole year and for any type of situation you might
encounter. It even explains how to compost if you do not have a
garden.
Another useful book is The Gardeners Year by Jane Courtier at
Parragon. It tells you what to do in what season. If you watch
Jamie Oliver in one of his cooking shows, especially where he
cooks in the garden itself, then this book takes on a special
meaning.
For Canadian gardens I love the books by Lone Pine Publishing.
Rob Sproule reports back this year with another one of his
colorful presentations, this time with creative design ideas.
Whether you like hanging baskets, flower beds or containers, he
has the most brilliant suggestions with a truly innovative
approach. The effects are easy to create. Some of his ideas
already found their way into nurseries, so you only have to pick
up what you are looking for. But planting something yourself is
so incredible satisfying and will give you bragging rights with
the neighbors!
It does not matter what you do, as long as you are having fun.
It has become a good idea to plant a full garden for all seasons
in the front of the house. If it is not just ornamental, but
also has herbs and vegetables you want to use, be reminded that
nothing close to the curb should be consumed because of the car
exhausts.
Happy gardening!
Until next time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Sybille reports as a German-Canadian about culture, arts,
entertainment, community events from her unique perspective as an artist.
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